Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

What you will study

To earn the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.

• Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive)
• Social Work Theory for Professional Practice
• Loss, Grief and Mental Health
• Leadership in Social Policy
• Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive)
• Interpersonal Skills for Professional Practice B (intensive)
• Research for Community Development
• Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (intensive) (20 credit points)
• Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice
• Field Education A (Master's) (30 credit points)
• Field Education B (Master's) (30 credit points)

Intensive block: Students are required to attend a five-day on-campus intensive block as a part of this unit, as accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the placement hours as allocated by the CDU Placement Office based on the recommended hours outlined by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:

• Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree in any field.
• Equivalent of one year of full-time study in behavioural or social science units, whether included in the completed degree or additional qualifications at diploma or above level.

Due to professional recognition, applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work undergraduate degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers will not be eligible to enter this course.

English language requirements

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:

• Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
• Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
• Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
• Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
• Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
• Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

As a graduate of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree, you will develop key skills in critical thinking and working with persons of diverse backgrounds. Career opportunities exist in fields such as drug and alcohol, family violence, working with children and families, refugee and humanitarian contexts, social policy, justice, First Nations organisations, not-for-profit sector, government sector including child protection, health, education, residential and aged care, international development, social policy and research.

Fees and CSP

Estimated total fee in 2026: $16,320 (Commonwealth Supported Places)

Estimated total fee in 2026: $53,568 (domestic full-fee paying place).

Student fees may vary per:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.